golden eagle luxury trains the balkan explorer
golden eagle danube express central european and the balkan explorer istanbul - venice (westbound) venice - istanbul (eastbound) turkey - bulgaria - greece - macedonia - serbia - croatia bosnia & herzegovina - slovenia - italy Miramare Castle, Trieste Dubrovnik Fortress Bey Hamam Bath, Thessaloniki Absorb the unique blend of culture, ancient tales and architectural treasures on this fascinating voyage aboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express. Meandering through verdant landscapes and along turquoise coastlines, this exclusive rail cruise delivers an enthralling exploration of the Balkan nations and their surrounding countries. Encompassing nine countries over 12 days, our Balkan adventure samples a taste of the eclectic cultures and customs found in Southern Europe. Combining Venetian vibrancy with Croatian coastlines and opulent Ottoman architecture, this grand European tour provides the perfect blend to stimulate our senses. Venturing through the intriguing countries of the former Yugoslavia, we look to unearth the rich past of this captivating region. Indelibly marked by the poignant conflicts of recent and ancient history we discover the remarkable and inspiring resilience of Sarajevo and Mostar and explore the lasting influences on the surrounding cities of Belgrade, Dubrovnik and Skopje. At either end of this incredible journey are two of the most magical cities in Southern Europe. Staying at the iconic five-star Pera Palace hotel, we spend two days exploring Istanbul s unique blend of Asian and European culture, religion and style. Equally as enchanting, but completely contrasting, is the glorious city of Venice, where we embrace its rich heritage of music and the arts and capture the true essence of this romantic and cultured city. Grand Canal and Basilica, Venice
Blue Mosque Interior, Istanbul the balkan explorer istanbul - venice venice - istanbul Venice Trieste Ljubljana SLOVENIA CROATIA Zagreb HUNGARY Belgrade ROMANIA MOLDOVA BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA SERBIA Mostar Sarajevo Black ITALY Adriatic Dubrovnik MONTENEGRO KOSOVO Sofia BULGARIA Skopje MACEDONIA ALBANIA Plovdiv Istanbul Thessaloniki Tyrrhenian Istanbul - Venice (Westbound) July 3 July 14, 2015 May 27 - June 7, 2016 July 22 - Aug 2, 2016 Sep 29 - Oct 10, 2016 tour schedules accommodation Ionian Venice Istanbul (Eastbound) July 11 July 22, 2015 June 4 - June 15, 2016 July 30 - Aug 10, 2016 2 nights in Istanbul 7 nights onboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express 2 nights in Venice GREECE Istanbul - Venice (Westbound) Day 1 Arrive Istanbul Day 2 Istanbul Day 3 Istanbul Day 4 Plovdiv & Sofia Day 5 Thessaloniki & Skopje Day 6 Belgrade Day 7 Dubrovnik Day 8 Mostar & Sarajevo Day 9 Zagreb & Ljubljana Day 10 Trieste & Venice Day 11 Venice Day 12 Depart Venice Aegean daily tour itineraries TURKEY Venice Istanbul (Eastbound) Day 1 Arrive Venice Day 2 Venice Day 3 Venice & Trieste Day 4 Ljubljana & Zagreb Day 5 Sarajevo & Mostar Day 6 Dubrovnik Day 7 Belgrade Day 8 Skopje & Thessaloniki Day 9 Sofia & Plovdiv Day 10 Istanbul Day 11 Istanbul Day 12 Depart Istanbul istanbul - plovdiv - sofia - thessaloniki - skopje - belgrade - dubrovnik - mostar sarajevo - zagreb - ljubljana - trieste - venice istanbul Turkey This fabled city that spans Asia and Europe deserves an extended stay so over two days we will see how old meets new, east meets west, when we visit Istanbul s must-see historic sites. The largest and oldest palace in the world and primary residence of the Ottoman Sultans from 1465 to 1853, Topkapi is the crown jewel of the Ottoman Empire. With its treasury and exotic buildings overlooking the Golden Horn, your visit to Topkapi promises to be a truly fascinating experience. Now a museum, Hagia Sophia was built in the 6th century by the Emperor Justinian, and was one of the largest basilicas in the Christian world. After the Ottoman conquest, it was converted to a mosque and is today one of the most magnificent museums in the world. Take a moment to linger here to admire the fine Byzantine architecture. One of the most famous monuments in both the Turkish and Islamic worlds, the Sultan Ahmet Mosque (the Blue Mosque) is a superb creation in the classical Ottoman style and features six towering minarets and 260 windows illuminating its vast main chamber, which is decorated with more than 20,000 Iznik tiles. We also visit the Grand Bazaar which is one of the world s largest covered markets, with 58 streets and over 4,000 shops. In operation since the 14th century the bazaar is especially known for its jewelry, leather, pottery, spices and carpets. We spend two nights at the iconic five-star Pera Palace Hotel Jumeirah. The hotel was built in 1892 to cater for guests taking the Orient Express and it was here that Agatha Christie wrote her famous book Murder on the Orient Express. A fitting grand hotel to start or end our tour. Note: Continuing engineering works associated with the new Bosphorus tunnel could mean that the train terminates (or starts, on Westbound tours) on the outskirts of Istanbul and we will be transferred by coach.
Skopje plovdiv Bulgaria thessaloniki Greece The second largest city in Bulgaria after Sofia, The City of Seven Hills is one of the oldest cities in Europe with more than 200 known archaeological sites. We explore the many sights in the charming Old Town including its ancient theatres, medieval walls and Ottoman baths. The Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis, Plovdiv We soak up the atmosphere of this vibrant city by heading to Aristotelous Square. The White Tower is its most famous landmark from Ottoman times, and offers excellent views of the city from the top. skopje Macedonia We stop at the little-visited Skopje and discover a city where the Ottoman influences are still strong. Explore the narrow streets of the Old Town with tiny shops and mosques with ceramic-tiled interiors. Meander through the Old Bazaar area, brimming with things to buy, and cross the 15th century Stone Bridge which links the bazaar to the modern town. Saint Sava Temple, Belgrade belgrade Serbia sofia Bulgaria The site of Bulgaria s modern capital, Sofia, at the foot of Mt Vitosha, was first occupied by the Thracian tribe of Serdi. On our tour we will spot sections of Roman wall, admire the ancient church of St George, the golden-domed Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the Turkish Bashi Mosque. Statue in the centre of Skopje Colourful Umbrellas, Belgrade The Serbian capital, Belgrade is located at the strategic meeting point of the Danube and Sava Rivers. This truly cosmopolitan city has fortifications from Celtic times, medieval tombs and Turkish baths. We spend a full day here and our city tour includes Tito s memorial, the Town Hall, Republic Square and Knez Mihajlova Street, as well as Varos Gate and a visit to the mighty Kalemegdan Fortress.
Mostar Traditional Handcrafts in Bascarsija, Sarajevo Old City View, Dubrovnik Bridge Over Maljacka River, Sarajevo Stradun Shopping Street, Dubrovnik dubrovnik Croatia mostar Bosnia & Herzegovina sarajevo Bosnia & Herzegovina We leave our train for a scenic drive along the Dalmatian Coast to Dubrovnik. Since its foundation in the 13th century Dubrovnik has been attacked many times but it is now restored as one of the great cities of the Mediterranean, essentially unchanged for 700 years. We will tour the city travelling through Ploce Gate to visit the Franciscan Monastery with one of the world s oldest pharmacies, the Old Harbour, St Laurence Fortress and the Rector s Palace. We tour the historic city of Mostar - the crossroads of many civilisations, cultures and three religions. Mostar was one of the most important cities of the Ottoman Empire. The town s renowned stone arch bridge linking the Christian and Muslim areas was re-built in the summer of 2004 after being damaged during the Balkan war. We also visit Turkish House and the mosque before walking through the narrow bazaar streets, where you can shop for traditional souvenirs and handicrafts. The Bosnian capital of Sarajevo is an intriguing blend of Eastern and Western culture; it has mosques and minarets, an ancient bazaar and an atmospheric old Turkish quarter. In 1914, it was the site of the assasination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand that sparked World War I. Discover the city s poignant history through a truly absorbing tour detailing the horrors of the Balkan War. Sarajevo suffered from the longest siege of a capital city in the history of modern warfare. The scars of war are still evident as we travel past war-torn buildings and we make a visit to the Tunnel Museum under Sarajevo Airport. Your guide, who lived through the 1992-1996 conflict, brings to life in touching fashion the struggles the citizens of Sarajevo faced during the siege of the city.
View from Rialto Bridge, Venice zagreb Croatia trieste Italy venice Italy This morning we will tour Zagreb, a central European city with over 900 years of documented history. We will take a walking tour of the upper town and Kapitol (the ancient town centre), which abounds in Baroque atmosphere and cultural monuments. We will also see the ornate buildings of the lower town and its wide boulevards. ljubljana Slovenia Ljubljana is a delightful city, a combination of ancient architecture and a youthful culture. Our city tour includes visits to Preseren Square, Three Bridges, Dragon Bridge and Plecnik Market. We arrive into the Italian port of Trieste for a short tour. We stop at the vast Piazza Unita d Italia, the main town square, and can climb the hill to the famous Church of San Giusto built around a medieval complex that dates back to the 13th century. We will go inside the church for a close-up view of the splendid Byzantine-style architecture enriched with precious mosaics. We also offer a Freedom of Choice option to visit the Museum of the Risiera di San Sabba. This former rice-husking facility became the site of the only Nazi extermination camp in Italy. Venice is a truly captivating city of romance, its unrivalled beauty takes your breath away, for first time visitors and regulars alike. Included in our time in Venice is two nights at the five-star Europa and Regina (or similar). The hotel enjoys a fantastic location beside the Grand Canal and is a short walk from St Mark s Square. There is an option to extend your stay in Venice for additional nights to explore more of this fascinating city. We have the opportunity to take a familiarisation walking tour around the highlights of this spectacular city. Walk through the winding lanes beside the Grand Canal to St Mark s Square, which for 1,000 years was the heart of Venetian life. We also see St Mark s Basilica and stroll through the Rialto Market. There will be free time to explore this beautiful city at your leisure or choose to take a gondola ride in the Basin of St. Mark s and along the Grand Canal. A short stroll through the artists district of Dorsoduro will follow and we ll stop to take in the city s most breath-taking views from the Accademia Bridge before returning to our hotel. 38 39
golden eagle danube express what s included in the tour price Pera Palace Hotel Jumeirah, Istanbul Pera Palace Hotel Jumeirah, Istanbul Four sons Gresham Palace, Budapest EXPERIENCED TOUR MANAGERS Our experienced Tour Managers are selected for their travel knowledge and organisational abilities allowing you to relax and enjoy your rail cruise. We receive exceptional passenger comments about our Tour Managers and their aim is to ensure you enjoy every minute of your holiday. ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE AIRPORT TRANSFERS Arrival transfers from the international airport to our tour hotel, and departure transfers from our tour hotel to the airport are included. HOTEL AND ONBOARD ACCOMMODATION Although you will spend much of your time sightseeing or relaxing in the train s public areas, you will find your hotel room or cabin a welcome retreat at the end of a rewarding day. BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER DAILY All meals are included, starting with dinner on the first day and ending with breakfast on the last day. All departures feature one or two uniquely designed Restaurant Cars where you can enjoy the excellent waiter-served food and wine. We will also sample authentic local cuisine with wine and a selection of drinks off the train, which are also included in the tour price. DRINKS WITH MEALS A generous drinks allowance, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, is included with lunch and dinner on and off the train. ONBOARD SERVICE You can expect service which is attentive, friendly and unintrusive. Your car attendants provide housekeeping and bedding turndown services to assist you and to ensure you are comfortable in your cabin. Complimentary tea, coffee and bottled drinking water are served to you in your cabin. GUIDED OFF-TRAIN EXCURSIONS The history and culture of the places we visit on our rail cruises will come alive through our expert local guides. All our tours include a wide-ranging sightseeing schedule to make the most of the time you have off the train and bring you closer to the culture, people and history of your destinations. We believe it is the special little touches that help create magical memories. PERSONAL HEADSETS On all the off-train excursions, to enhance your enjoyment and insights into the places you visit, you will be provided with a lightweight personal headset on which to listen to your tour guide as you take in the sights. The range of the headset means that you do not need to worry about missing any of the guide s commentary on your excursion, even if you prefer to wander away from the group. ONBOARD DOCTOR AND MEDICAL FACILITIES To give you peace of mind our tours are accompanied by a doctor who travels with us for the entire journey, so you can rest assured that medical assistance is always available. On call 24 hours a day, the doctor is on hand to give primary care as required. The doctor scheduled onboard will be English-speaking and registered with the General Medical Council in the UK. PORTERAGE As you only have to unpack once, your luggage and belongings will stay with you on the train throughout the journey but, wherever necessary, porterage is included between the hotels and stations. ALL GRATUITIES You will not have to worry about tipping on or off the train on your rail journey with Golden Eagle Luxury Trains as all gratuities are included in the tour price. golden eagle luxury trains limited Denzell House, Denzell Gardens, Dunham Road, Altrincham, Cheshire, WA14 4QF, United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0)161 928 9410 Fax: +44 (0)161 941 6101 Email: mail@goldeneagleluxurytrains.com Golden Eagle Luxury Trains